The Cancer Care Center

Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Diagnosis is the first crucial step on the way to recovery. Perhaps you've been experiencing chest pain, or you've been having trouble breathing. If you have symptoms you think may indicate lung cancer, you should be diagnosed by a physician experienced in cancer diagnosis.

Learn more about:

lung cancer symptoms
lung cancer diagnosis

Lung Cancer Symptoms

If you experience any of the following symptoms, speak with your doctor. These symptoms may indicate cancer or another condition, so it is important to get diagnosed quickly and accurately.

Symptoms include:

a persistent or worsening cough
feeling short of breath
constant chest pain
coughing up blood
a hoarse voice
frequent pneumonia
lethargy (feeling tired)
sudden weight loss

Lung Cancer Diagnosis

At St. Anthony’s Cancer Care Center, we know that sometimes the hardest part of the diagnosis phase is waiting for an answer. We strive to complete all of your testing as quickly as possible, so if the diagnosis is cancer, you can begin treatment immediately.

The first part of the diagnosis phase is a medical history and performing a thorough physical examination. Your doctor will listen to you breathe to hear if there is fluid in your lungs. Then, your doctor will likely order other tests and imaging scans.

Imaging Tests Used to Diagnose Lung Cancer

Your doctor will probably order one or more imaging tests to get a detailed picture of the inside of your body. These tests include:

Chest X-ray
Computed tomography (CT) scan, which uses high-powered X-rays to get a picture from several angles
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which uses powerful magnetic waves to obtain a detailed image
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which uses a short-lived radioactive substance to produce a three-dimensional image

Other Diagnostic Tests

Sputum cytology: Your doctor asks you to cough and sends the thick fluid (sputum) to a lab for analysis. A pathologist checks the sputum for evidence of cancer cells.
Bronchoscopy: Your doctor inserts a thin, lighted tube called a bronchoscope down your throat in order to examine your lungs. Your doctor may also be able to remove a sample of cells to send for analysis.
Fine-needle aspiration: Using a thin needle, your doctor removes tissue or fluid from your lung.
Surgical procedures: Sometimes, your doctor needs to perform a more major surgical procedure in order to obtain tissue sample and confirm a diagnosis. If this is the case, your doctor will explain to you exactly what you can expect from the procedure and recovery process.
Blood tests

For information about St. Anthony's Cancer Care Center - St. Louis, please call 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550 or visit find a physician online.

At St. Anthony's, our vision is to be the area's premier health care organization
— and your first choice for health care services.